Why Zack Kleiman’s ‘Conviction’ in Reconstruction Makes Sense

The The Memphis Grizzlies haven’t jumped on the fence at the NBA trade deadline. They’ve chosen a direction, and EVP/GM Zach Kleiman has hinted at a belief that a return to the NBA playoffs could happen sooner rather than later. However, trading Jaren Jackson Jr I Morant marked the definitive pivot. For an office often measured by tone, the move brought unusual clarity of intent.

Reset the timeline, accumulate assets and power up the next wave without going into an extended crash. Follow the game planand the The Grizzlies should be fine long term. Crossing the fence was far more risky.

“We kind of hit a fork in the road,” Kleiman admitted. “We were convinced that the way to build a team that can achieve top results involves moving. We are turning to a younger build, we are not running away from it.”

The Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bain trades were bold, but far from reckless. Kleiman recognized that their current build had limitations, and instead of continuing to push toward a ceiling they weren’t sure they could break through, they decided to reimagine what a candidate might look like.

However, belief alone does not guarantee success. What separates the Grizzlies from teams that languish in rebuilding purgatory is the infrastructure they have built to support this pivot.

“The good thing about where we are as we turn the page and start building with this group going forward, we’re not starting from scratch,” believes Kleiman. “There are a lot of teams that decide to go into a rebuild and they don’t have young players, maybe one young player that they think could fit into the next build of their team, and have negative draft equity going forward.”

Control of 12 future first-round picks, including eight selections in the next four NBA drafts, provides an advantage. The Grizzlies own all of their picks, giving the front office maximum flexibility.

“We already have a lot to do. I don’t think this is about 5 years, try to be scary,” explained Kleiman. “I don’t believe in that method of building a team. Between the assets we’ve accumulated and the players we have, we’re very optimistic about what we have. It’s not going to be some long five-year process.”

Cedric Coward, Cam Spencer, GG Jackson, Taylor Hendricks, Walter Clayton Jr., and Jaylen Wells should expect an increase in a few minutes. Zach Edey’s return is up in the air for now, though it wouldn’t be surprising to see someone repeat for chemistry.

“We will certainly be focused on development,” Kleiman said. “Everything we’re going to move towards the end of the season, into next season, is about our guys being able to continue to progress and become the players that will hopefully help us get those kinds of results.”

Those results must lead to an NBA playoff appearance sooner rather than later, or Kleiman will have to move for the next rebuild. FedEx Forum’s staunchest fans would be too vocal to demand a change.